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How a VA (Virtual Assistant) can help small businesses
How a VA (Virtual Assistant) can help small businesses
Sometimes work can get a little overwhelming. That’s when a VA can help. We are used to taking on short-term projects to help ease the burden of local small businesses. Here are some examples of how we could help you.
Recruitment
You’ve done the hard work. You’ve pulled together a job description, posted it online and now you are inundated with applications. It’s a bit of a catch-22 situation as you need to go through all these applications to get the new staff member but you don’t have the time. Luckily we are at the end of the telephone and can help you out.
We’ve recently assisted with candidate screening to see which applicants would be suitable for interview stage. We rang a selected number of applicants, asking a number of screening questions, noting down the answers and our impressions of their telephone manner. We then sent out invitations for interviews to the short-listed few.
We have just launched our HR service so if you need assistance with any aspect of HR then do get in touch with us.
Appointment bookings
One client had a number of customers that he needed to arrange visits to see. This ate into his working day so he outsourced this task to Red Desk. We rang all his customers, kept detailed notes of our calls in a spreadsheet and informed him when a customer wanted a visit.
We then arranged appointments by email so that he had documented evidence of these appointment bookings. This has resulted in extra business for our client and we will be repeating this exercise in a number of months.
Event Marketing
We have a few clients who use Red Desk for adhoc event marketing. These are clients who need a little extra help spreading the word about their events.
Last month we posted details of a workshop on a client’s blog and then shared this information on a number of Facebook groups and websites that we use. We also helped draft and send an e-newsletter about another client’s craft workshops.
This month we shall be helping another client with getting the message out about an open day.
Concierge
On occasion we are asked by clients to run errands for them. In the past couple of weeks we have taken parcels to the post office for one client, and scanned documents which were then sent onto her accountant.
So, no matter how big or small the job is, Red Desk are here to help you!
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5 Reasons Why We Love Being Virtual Assistants
5 Reasons Why We Love Being Virtual Assistants
Many Virtual Assistants (VAs) have had a career change and look to becoming Virtual Assistants as it fits in with their work-life balance better. The world of VAs attracts personal and executive assistants right through to business managers. Some may have been made redundant whereas others look for a better fit around childcare. Whatever the catalyst for change, you will often hear that this was the best decision ever. Here are our reasons why we love being Virtual Assistants.
Reason 1 – Flexibility
As a Virtual Assistant, you are your own boss. You pick and choose who you work for and when. Red Desk love being Virtual Assistants as we can choose to work remotely, or when time permits from our clients’ offices.
Reason 2 – Develop new skills
Working for large businesses has its advantages (regular income, regular hours) but sometimes there isn’t scope to develop new skills outside your role. Being a VA means that you have to be flexible and adaptable. If you enjoy learning something new then consider becoming a VA.
Reason 3 – Network
Some people shudder when they see the word network(ing) but I am talking about the broader scope of the word. As small businesses we heavily rely on the recommendations of others. Whether you meet useful contacts at a networking event or through a Facebook group recommendation, these are all valuable ways to demonstrate your usefulness. Be seen as the go-to person for skills and knowledge.
Reason 4 – Pick work that interests us
When you are first setting up as a Virtual Assistant, you may not know which way your business is headed. You may wish to only provide concierge services (party planning, arranging deliveries etc) but then have client enquiries to do with financial administration. If you are smart (and have the knowledge) then you will accept the work as it comes in. However as time goes on, you will enjoy certain types of work. It is then that you can start accepting or declining work.
NB Always thank the potential client for enquiring and always have someone else you can suggest they contact
Reason 5 – Job satisfaction
Following on from reason number 4, we absolutely love being VAs at Red Desk because of the satisfaction it gives us. From writing social media proposals to finishing a project, we are satisfied that we have done the best we could on that particular task. We also love it when a client then leaves us a review, sends us a testimonial and recommends us to other potential clients.
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